Hi everyone,
I’m getting close to finalizing the purchase of a 1995 NS 354. I already know she needs some sail repair(s), possibly a new sail. I’m looking for the sail dimensions and the OM gives only square feet/meters (669/62.2). Does anyone have the measurements, for the luff, leach, foot and draft?
Also, does anyone have a recommendation for a sail maker/repair in the Deltaville/Urbanna, VA area?
Thanks,
Barry Clark
purchase pending
Fredericksburg, VA
Hi Barry,
Here’s the layout for the new sail that came with our NS 354 when we purchased her in 2017. The only change I would like to see is a cunningham. It’s hard to keep the 55’ luff tight. It’s also the heaviest fabric offered by Precision and I would have gone lighter in Florida. Otherwise, very happy with the sail.
Craig Stanley
S/V Matou, NS 354 #70
Tampa
Precision Sail layout.pdf (304 KB)
Wow, that’s great, Thanks! The current sail is a North Sail installed in 2004. I sent a query to North Sails in Annapolis, MD this morning asking for a ball park range cost estimate (low to high) if the whole sail has to be replaced. Almost certainly the current sail was made in Annapolis since that’s the only North Sail loft in the central Atlantic region. If I can get the sail number that should result in a much more realistic estimate.
BTW, the hull number for the boat I’m trying to buy is #71. Thanks for the info, Big Sister!
Barry
Fredericksburg, VA
Hi Barry -
Welcome to the club (just maybe.. ??). I own a “little sister”, an N22 outboard. I replaced a well-used and VERY expensive North Sail 2 years ago with a gorgeous cruising sail made by Mack Sails of Stuart, Florida. They make the sails down there in their loft, not in Cambodia or heaven-knows-where. The price was excellent and the best quote that I got from anyone. The service from Travis Blaine at Mack was superb. I ended up sending the old sail to Travis to use as a reference. They use Challenge Marblehead 6.77 Dacron which stays VERY crinkly for years.
I highly recommend Mack (and I’m in Toronto, Canada). Most BIG sail lofts manufacture in the Far East. THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION TO POSE. It’s not about poor workmanship (or totally about employing our North American brothers and sisters although that IS worth something), it’s about getting any problems promptly and pleasantly dealt with by the the same human that built the sail in the first place). BTW, I had NO problems and the boat goes one honest knot faster (but I do have to reef a bit sooner). It could have been the opposite …
And … the sail was perfect - NO problems. Mack Sails is wonderful.
Have fun - Nonsuches are heaven boats.
Ernie A. in Toronto
I have also bought from Mack sails in the past. Travis is great!
David Payne
NS 30
New Bern NC
Hi Barry - me again.
I certainly agree with Craig Stanley regarding the cunningham. As I said, my sail will be pretty stiff for years and it’s really tough to get that luff tight. I will probably have a local sailmaker put one in this winter.
Ernie A. in Toronto
Ulman Sails is very well regarded in Deltaville. Last year they even did sails for the USCG Sailing ship EAGLE.
I used them for sail repair and to make a riding sail for my N33.
Ed Strazzini
s/v PELICAN N33
Deltaville, Va
Hi Folks, just ordered a sail from Martin Padilla of Somerset Sails in Barker, New York for my NS 354 Hobbes II #72 based in San Rafael/San Francisco, CA. The 10 yr old NS 30 one that I was using blew to shreds in the 40kt blow we had on Sunday (but I made 9.5 kts w a 2kt flood in the Bay so it was well worth it!!! :))
Craig, THANK YOU SO MUCH for your Precision Sail measurements. I am forwarding these on to Martin for his review. Can you tell me if they took these measurements from the original or subsequent sail as a pattern, or did they measure the luft, leach, etc actually on the vessel? Also, Martin is recommending 10oz Marblehead Dacron from Challenge Sailcloth. Do you know what cloth Precision used? SF Bay is brutal on sails and boats with the heavy winds…
Finally, Barry did you end up purchasing the NS 354 #71 back in 2019? if so, welcome to the exclusive NS 354 club!
Michael Jabara
s/v Hobbes II, NS 354 #72, San Rafael, CA
Residence: Las Vegas, NV
Hi Michael -
Great that you found a sailmaker that you like. My Mack sail on my N22 (WAY, way smaller than yours) was built out of 7oz Marblehead Dacron from Challenge Sailcloth. It is 4 years old, is perfect and, still, is REAL stiff. I use a drill and a winch bit to hoist it. I do hope that you have some assisted way to do this, especially with a new sail. THAT, however, is another topic. You (and your sailmaker) know far more about SF Bay winds than I do but, I’ll tell you, that is gonna be one stiff and heavy son-of-a-gun to hoist and, eventually, to flake. Ho-lee crow. You just may have to jump up and down on the sucker to get it back into it’s sail cover or Stack Pac or whatever, seriously. I had to add a foot of fabric on to my sail cover to deal with the expanded girth. Yes, it’s a confidence-builder to have a bullet-proof sail but … whew … it may be a struggle to deal with. Do your serious due diligence before you settle on (possibly) a cloth that may be needlessly heavy, no matter how much the winds howl.
Speaking of the winds … just maybe, would a (gulp) 3rd reef be a good idea ?? And, yes, especially with a big sail, a cunningham would be smart.
All the best with this.
Ernie A. in Toronto (where it’s Canada Day - Wahoo !!!)
Hi Ernie,
Luckily I have an electric winch to get ‘er up. Your comment about dousing, flaking and storing away (has a Stack Pack, loves it but it didn’t last in the sun) I will take time heart.
I got a chance to ride in an NS 26. Those are fabulous boats; very fun and nimble on the Bay. He had no engine and was a expert sailor getting them in and out of the docks and berths.
Thanks
And Happy 
Day to you!!!
Yes, I bought the NS 354 #71. We closed at the end of July 2019. Quantum is making a new sail which should be ready around the end of this month. It’s pretty fancy-smancy , but I don’t expect to have to make another one.
As for the North sail that was on it when I bought the boat, it is actually in pretty good condition, according to Ullman Sails in Deltaville. I had them remove it for repairs and washing. They say it is in good condition and needed little in the way of repairs apparently. The repair cost is only $184. I’m keeping the old sail as a spare.
BoatUS had issues with 5 items on the survey, mostly to do with age cracks on hoses. I have replaced all but 2 of the engine hoses, plus the engine and generator wet exhaust hoses and the water heater hoses. The remaining 2 hoses will be done the next time I go to Urbanna I hope but you can never tell how difficult any given task will be. The 5th item was some rot in the forward bulkhead; actually not the bulkhead which is solid as a rock, but the veneer over it. That’s done too. I have also replaced all but one segment of the deck and cockpit drain hoses.
There were no maintenance records so I have created one, and I am conscientious about keeping it up. No records means I have to inspect everything and fix what needs fixing to get a baseline condition for the boat. Once I am no longer confined to my room by Mother BoatUS, I will start on the various systems I know the AC needs work. It is short-cycling so if anyone knows of a reliable marine AC tech I’m all ears. It was apparently “repaired” at some expense just before the survey, but had issues at the survey.
I’m sure that is more than anyone really wants to know but that is where things are as of today. I have changed the name from “Vendetta” to “Swan’s Wing”, a name I had picked out perhaps 15 yrs ago as soon as I knew a Nonsuch was the only boat for me.
The attachment is the mock up for the new sail.
Barry
swan mockup (final)(1).pdf (107 KB)
Thanks, Michael J -
Here is a photo of well-fed me coming in to my slip showing how stiff the sail on my N22 is. Flaking it was an exercise, indeed. Seven ounce cloth.
Ernie A. in Toronto
Hi Ernie -
I just placed my order with Mack. Any regrets on the sail or anything you would do differently? I’m doing a top full batten, rest normal.
Bob Gehrman
NS30U #396 “Quickbeam”
Baltimore, Maryland
I have found that it’s not a problem it you first pull the sail aft, starting aft. Then you flake it.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Of course, Joe is correct. (Why, always, is he correct ?? WHY ??) What I was bangin’ on about is that my 7 oz. new-ish sail is still quite stiff and tough to flake even tho I do pull the daylights out of it, aft. It just doesn’t want to “flatten” that easily. Give it another 20 years and it’ll be nice and soft like an old bathrobe. Therefore, a sail built of 10 oz. cloth will be …um … somewhat stiff, no ??
But… it’ll be one HELL of a nice sail.
Bob Gehrman - FULL DISCLOSURE - I do not work for Mack Sails. I’m just a satisfied customer who was treated in a first-class manner by the loft and would always recommend them. No regrets, whatsoever EXCEPT (silly me), I should have asked them to put in a cunningham. No big deal - I can get it done up here. And, yes, a top full batten and the rest partial. I believe that this is the philosophy of the classic Nonsuch sail but I do know that others have differing points of view on this. You’ll be pleased with the product, Bob.
Ernie A. in Toronto
Thanks Ernie - What do you use the cunningham for? Just a final tighten down? Rather than cranking on the halyard?
Bob Gehrman
NS30U #396 “Quickbeam”
Baltimore, Maryland
That’s one of the things that I regret, not knowing enough to have a lighter weight sail. Whatever it is, I wish it were lighter, even now, after 13 years.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Yes, I wondered the same thing. When I’m cranked up with a little extra nudge from the electric winch, I have zero slack on any part of the luff…
I have a non adjustable Cunningham. What it does is to flatten the foot due to the shackle on the tack not pulling straight forward.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA